9 soldiers killed during clashes in Eastern Ukraine

Fighting in east Ukraine over the last 24 hours has killed at least nine soldiers and wounded 29, the military said today , as rebels fought to secure more territory in the war zone.

“Nine soldiers were killed and 29 injured in the (war zone) during the last 24 hours,” military spokesman Vladyslav Seleznyov said.

Clashes have intensified as a September truce has unravelled, with the main rebel leader in the Donetsk region last week announcing he would no longer take part in peace talks and planned to seize more territory.

International concern has mounted over the conflict and Russia has faced pressure to rein in the separatists it is accused of arming and backing with troops.